civil rights timeline

Brown v Board of Education

1954

Landmark supreme court case. Racial segregation in schools. Overturned “separate but equal”.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Dec 20, 1956

Inspired by Rosa Parks. Boycotting segregation in public transportation.

Little Rock Nine

1957

Nine African Americans couldn’t attend school because of racial segregation. Step towards desegregation in schools.

Sit-Ins

1960

Sit-ins were a nonviolent tactic to advocate for African American rights where people would go to public places that wouldn’t serve colored people however wouldn’t leave until escorted out.

Freedom Rides

1961

Activits rode interstate buses to challenge segregated bus terminals. Drew attention for desgregation.

Swann V Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

Apr 20, 1961

This was a court case that aimed to speed up racial integration of public school in the United States

Birmingham Campaign

1963

American movement used to bring attention to the integration efforts of African Americans in Birmingham, Alabama

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

This march advocated for civil and economic rights for African American

I Have a Dream Speech

Aug 28, 1963

Martin Luther kind addresses racism with his famous "I Have a Dream" speech to thousands of people In Washington.

Civil Rights Act

Jul 2, 1964

This act prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, skin color, religion, sex, or nation origin.

Selma March

1965

This was a series of three protests along a 54 mile highway from selma Alabama to the capital of Montgomery

Malcolm X assisnated

Feb 21, 1965

Shot and killed while delivering speech. He was a very popular civil rights activist.

Stone Wall Riots

1967

Police raided a gay club which sparked a riot. 6 days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement. A big event during1969. Almost half of Americans don't know about this important event. It was a riot about LGBTQ+ issues and police brutality.

Women's Liberation Movement

1967

Advocated for gender equality and reproductive rights. Feminist activism

American Indian Movement

1970

Indigenous rights. Response to police brutality and racial profiling.

Bloody Sunday

Jan 30, 1972

13 civilians shot by the British Army during a Civil Rights march. Marching in protest of Birtish policy internment of Irish nationalists

Black Panther Party

1982

Organization with ideology of Black nationalism, socialism, and self-defense. Against police brutality

Rodney King Beating

Mar 3, 1991

Four Los Angeles police officers, three of them acquitted for the beating of Rodney king. Leading to the 5 days riots in LA

Million Women's March

Oct 24, 1997

This was protest for African-American women's rights as a response to the man's protest in Philidelphia.

Election of Barack Obama

2009

First African American President. Milestone for struggle of racial equality.

Equal Rights Amendment

2020

Radification towards regards of Women's rights. Equalize genders in society